Stanley Jordan - Friends (180g Vinyl)

On 'Friends', guitar virtuoso Stanley Jordan takes the time-honoured path of inviting a handpicked cadre of guests to perform with him: fellow guitarists Mike Stern, Charlie Hunter, Russell Malone and Bucky Pizzarelli; violinist Regina Carter; saxophonists Kenny Garrett and Ronnie Laws; trumpeter Nicholas Payton; bassists Christian McBride and Charnett Moffett; and drummer Kenwood Dennard. It is now available on 180g virgin vinyl.

The resulting music is truly outstanding and ranges from a Bela Bartok piece to a Katy Perry pop smash, a heady original blues and three jazz classics spanning swing, cool and modern. There's a listener-friendly samba, an airy spirit song and an astounding nod to the atonal. Jordan even plays some serious piano on a couple of songs, revisiting his first instrument with newfound confidence and wonder.